His Fallen Mate (Elemental Series #1)

Visitor

Dane woke up earlier than usual. It was still four but his mind was already wide awake. The image of the woman he met last night had started to camp on his head that even in his dreams she was there. It's as though there's a certain connection that pulled him towards her.

He was about to leave the party last night but his mind changed in an instant when he took a short glance at the woman's sad face. As if telling him not to go home. She's a total wonder, which makes Dane confused. A hurricane in his already chaotic world.

Dane did a couple of stretching exercises before he headed into the bathroom. He stared at his features in the mirror and felt proud in it. Yet, a certain memory suddenly flashed on his head, causing him to bitterly smile. The woman's mate unluckily had the same name as his. For a brief moment, he wished it was him, but that was far from possible and not even close to reality.

Pissed at the idea, Dane decided to take a quick shower.

He hardly shut his head from overthinking as the water cascaded through his spine. Weird as it may seem, but his thoughts are filled with her whom he just met last night. He has also met Selene, the beautiful daughter of the moon goddess, but her impact on him is so little compared to that fiery woman who smokes.

Dane finished his shower exhaustedly, as the woman's seductive visage had been in his head for the entire time. Unknowingly, the Alpha, who had vowed not to fall in love again, was hardly smitten. His mind revolved towards a certain subject even after he had come to his office to work and it was none other than Alpha Maal's daughter.

"Alpha, you have a visitor," Dane's beta declared.

He was now reading some books about second-chance mates as he was intrigued by the new overwhelming emotion. Something that he hadn't felt in his previous mate.

"Who?" he inquired after closing the book and hiding it in his cabinet. No one should know what he's up to now.

"A woman..." Antonio looked at him maliciously and then at the woman behind the door. As though he was curious as to what was going on. Dane unconsciously raised his brows, confused at his beta's attitude.

"Let her in," he commanded, just to see who had visited him at this very early without notice.

His eyes immediately grew bigger after seeing the woman who had been giving him a headache. Dane even trembled for a second, becoming conscious of his own office. Afraid that the woman would think of him negatively.

Dane cleared his throat before opening his mouth. "What brought you here, Miss?" he asked, calming a bit. He led her to the couch and motioned her to take a seat.

"I came here for a visit as ordered by Dad; by the way, my name is Seraphina; what's yours?" her voice sounds angelic but strict.

"Dane," he uttered shortly, suppressing the happiness in his voice. Dane kept reminding himself of his pledge about women, but the vixen in front was so hard to reject. She's like an enchantress, enticing him to drown deeper. He noticed a flash of pain in the woman's eyes as she stared at him, but it was gone in a heartbeat. It was the same look she had given to him last night.

"By any chance, did we know each other before?" he asked.

If she was the head council daughter, then he would have known her since he'd been attending Red Howl parties ever since he was young. It's weird how he couldn't remember her but he had remembered Kia.

"Maybe yes, maybe no," Seraphina responded while shrugging her shoulders. Nice answer.

A stifling quiet fell over them while Seraphina was busy examining his office. His gaze was fixed on the woman, and he was observing her every gesture.

"May I see the training arena?" she inquired, which made him panic a bit.

In the face of this woman, Dane's ruthless demeanor appears to crumble. She behaved as if she possessed the ability to control him and make him do whatever she wanted. Given Seraphina is a hybrid and a fire cultivator, he is well aware that if he refuses, she may set fire to his pack.

He showed Seraphina everything they had stepped on while Antonio trailed behind them. Dane had become Seraphina's personal tour guide for the first time. They pass a few more houses before they reach the closed arena where the male soldiers are practicing.

Seraphina took a quick survey of the entire stadium before nodding. Dane averted his eyes as the woman suddenly gazed at him.

"Where is the female arena?" she inquired after not seeing any female warriors training in the arena.

"Miss Seraphina, we don't train she-wolves," Antonio said abruptly. Dane gave his beta a death glare as he glanced at him.

"Why not?" the woman responded, heedless to his presence and now facing Antonio. He grumbled quietly as Seraphina's attention was drawn to his beta. Damn you, Antonio. Attention seeker.

"We believe that our women are only bound in the house, and it is our responsibility to defend them," Antonio said, oblivious to Dane's stern glare.

"But isn't that a disadvantage? What if there's a war? How will they be able to defend themselves? Isn't it better if she-wolves knew how to defend themselves rather than just relying on men?" Seraphina inquired continuously. The woman has a valid argument. However, it had been Dane's mate's decision before, and he chose to leave it as it was. Antonio sought Dane for assistance, but the arrogant Alpha snubbed his beta. You started it, so make sure you finish it.

Antonio let out a strange laugh before clearing his throat. "It was our Alpha's mate's idea, milady. We only followed it." Dane choked in surprise at his beta's response. Seraphina suddenly shifted her gaze to him, her eyes inquisitive.

He coughed a couple of times, feeling guilty when he shouldn't be. Scratching the back of his ear softly, unsure what to say.

"Don't you have plans to let she-wolves train? Aren't you the Alpha?" Seraphina asked, her eyes stern.

Dane was offended by her last inquiry. As though the woman is doubting his abilities, being an Alpha. He felt as if his pride had been trampled beneath her gaze.

"Someday...but not now," he said coldly. "Besides, we don't have enough arenas that will cater them." Dane suppressed his need to fantasize about the woman. It isn't healthy for him.

"I see. Then I'll inform my father about that."

Dane barely nodded. Seraphina went out of the arena alongside Antonio while he was following behind. Thoughts were running through his mind while staring at the woman's back. Somehow, he had felt a sense of familiarity in Seraphina's presence. Everything about her is familiar: her auburn hair, her crimson eyes, her smile, and the way she presented herself. They seemed to have met before, but he couldn't recall when. Dane kept a respectful distance between the two. While he was busy observing them, Antonio had become Seraphina's tour guide.

Dane raised his brows when the two suddenly turned towards the direction of the ranch. Despite this, he patiently followed, fighting the resentment that had begun to build in his heart, especially as the two in front appeared to be having a nice time, even laughing.

His bitterness compels him to return home and leave the two alone. But his possessive side wouldn't let him. What if the woman fell in love with Antonio all of a sudden? Dane shook his head at the idea and proceeded towards Antonio and Seraphina. He purposefully walked in between them, obstructing their ability to continue their talk. Antonio's eyes widened in response to his abrupt interruption.

"I thought you'd returned to your office, Alpha?" Antonio asked as he looked behind. "You've been following us all this time?"

Dane lightly struck Antonio in the head twice in a fit of rage. Then he slowly glanced to the right where Seraphina was positioned. The woman gave him a puzzled look before rolling her crimson eyes. He furrowed his brows after hearing the woman utter 'childish.'

'To whom is she referring?' Dane was taken aback for a second when he realized those remarks were directed at him. She's a complete straight shooter. But no, he'll firmly disagree with the woman's remarks.

"I'm not childish...just in case you didn't know," he defended himself as he pursued the woman who had chosen to walk.

"Yeah! Whatever makes you sleep at night, Dane," says Seraphina.

Dane blew a deep breath, calming himself as the woman stressed him out. His tolerance is being tested to the limit, but Seraphina doesn't seem to mind.

"Alpha, you should go to Seraphina's side and give her a tour of the ranch; she mentioned she wanted to see the animals," Antonio stated quickly, making Dane twitch. He ran his palm across his face, frustrated, before throwing his beta a death glare. Yet, Antonio only gave him a bashful smile.

"Just watch out for the chicken," Antonio warned, "since she stated she wanted to eat roasted chicken."

Dane creased his forehead after hearing his beta's odd caution. "You ain't going anywhere, though. Stick with us," he commanded. He realized he couldn't manage the woman alone. It's preferable to have Antonio as a backup in case he gets pissed along the way. Considering Seraphina's attitude, he's not up for it. Taming the fire will only burn him down. He's not yet ready for that.